Burmese opposition steps up pressure on junta

Burma’s opposition party today urged the ruling junta to agree UN demands to free political prisoners and open talks with democracy campaigners.

The call came as the country’s national airline announced it was halting most of its flights amid a dramatic downturn in visitors caused by the weeks of unrest.

Several governments have advised against visiting Burma because of possible violence and big tour operators have called for a boycott.

Calling for talks with the military government The National League for Democracy, led by detained activist Aung San Suu Kyi, also backed the UN Security Council’s condemnation of the violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

“Since Burma is a member country of the United Nations and as the government has declared it would work with the UN, we earnestly underscore the need to urgently implement the demands made by the Security Council,” the NLD said.

The 15-member Security Council issued its first statement on Burma yesterday in an attempt to pressure the military rulers in charge of the impoverished country since 1988 to meet the opposition and move toward democratic reforms.

Meanwhile The UN is sending its special envoy to Burma to the region over the weekend.

Ibrahim Gambari arrives in Thailand on Sunday in a series of consultations with key governments before heading to Rangoon.

He then travels to Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China and Japan, “with a view to returning to Burma shortly thereafter,” a UN spokeswoman said.

Mr Gambari met the junta’s leaders earlier this month during a four-day trip to Burma after troops opened fire on peaceful protests in Rangoon. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said after Gambari’s visit that he could not call the trip “a success.”